Mérida is the capital and largest city on the Yucatán Peninsula, and is also the region's vibrant cultural heart: rich in colonial history with its graceful plazas and famed cuisine, while also bright with traditional colour in the narrow streets and bustling markets. Nearby is the peninsula's ancient treasures and the beaches and resorts of Quintana Roo. It is the kind of city with something to offer every budget and is the ideal destination for a romantic break. Our collection of the best places to stay in Mérida range from luxury hotels to chic boutiques.
Mérida's Plaza Grande, the historic centre, is where you'll find a lot of the little shops and cafes, but it also hosts regular markets, concerts and performances. This is also where you'll find the severe, square cathedral, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Governor's Palace and stonework reclaimed from the ancient Mayan city upon which Merida was built. The downtown area is where you'll find the hostels and inexpensive restaurants, while the more boutique offerings and elegant restaurants are in the city's north.
Mérida retains a wonderful colonial feel, partly due to the jungle setting and architecture, and partly from the climate - it's tropical, so people get most of their work done in the morning, take long siestas in the afternoon and come back in the evening when the cooler breezes roll in off the Gulf of Mexico. Nowhere is Mérida's grace and elegance more obvious than on El Paseo Montejo, a romantic street upon which to stroll of an evening. One of the other great places to be is the Plaza Grande on Sunday evenings when the whole area around is closed to traffic and there are bands, free concerts and street vendors keeping everyone satiated and refreshed.
What not to miss
- Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by visiting the beautiful and stark cathedral in the city centre.
- Walk through the market on Plaza Grande.
- Check out the Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Go for a romantic stroll down El Paseo Montejo.
- Head towards the downtown area and enjoy the countless bars and chic cafes.
Merida is the ideal place for a romantic break. Check out our collection of the best places to stay in Merida to start planning your trip.